Mordecai’s warning continues from verse 13, twice repeating the phrase such a time as this. The emphasis on time found throughout the book is underscored by the repetition of timeliness at this crucial point in the story. However, some versions place the emphasis on the situation or circumstances (Bible en français courant: “If you refuse to intervene in the present circumstances”), or the “crisis” (New Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt).

If you keep silence means if Esther does not speak or intercede on behalf of her people. However, the translator must be careful to select the appropriate expression. Sitting in dumb silence is not meant any more than mere talk. Many African languages have highlighting patterns similar to the Hebrew of this sentence: “For if [as far as] remaining silent [is concerned], you remain silent at the time this one….”

Relief and deliverance: most versions reflect the Hebrew use of near synonyms. The first is more general relief or help while the second is more specifically deliverance from the destruction that awaits the Jews.

The meaning of the words from another quarter is much debated. Literally it is “from another place.” The most common interpretation is that this is an indirect reference to God (so Good News Translation: “help will come from heaven”). Later Hebrew came to use the word “place” as an indirect way of talking about God, but it is not certain that such usage existed when the book of Esther was written. If “place” means “God,” what, then, does the word “another [place]” mean? Some interpreters consider “another quarter” to be referring to an unnamed individual, or perhaps the inhabitants of the Persian Empire. It is preferable to keep an indefinite “place” in the translation as most versions do. A footnote may be added to explain the common interpretation of this verse.

Your father’s house refers to Esther’s family (so Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible). Some languages use an expression like “the people of your father” or “the people of your father’s door.”

And who knows…?: Mordecai’s question is not primarily asking for information. Rather he is trying to encourage Esther by suggesting that perhaps her becoming queen was part of a larger plan of God in order that she could have position and influence to save her people. The Hebrew construction is probably equivalent to “perhaps.” If so, then Anchor Bible and Nueva Biblia Española provide good models. Anchor Bible omits the words And who knows and avoids the form of a question, simply stating “It’s possible that you came to the throne for just such a time as this” (also Nueva Biblia Española).

You have … come to the kingdom means “you were made queen” (so Good News Translation) or “you have attained to royal position” (New Jerusalem Bible).

For such a time as this: Esther’s being queen is timely, according to Mordecai, because the reason for her presence in the palace is to deliver or save the Jews in this moment of great danger.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Noss, Philip A. A Handbook on Esther (The Hebrew Text). (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .